Multifunctional Nanocomposites Research Articles

Electronic Properties of Polyaniline-Graphene Nanocomposites Synthesized via Solution Mixing Method.

A key advantage of combining the exceptional properties of graphene with conducting polymers, lies in their remarkable property tunability through filler additions into polymer matrices, with synthesis routes playing a crucial role in shaping their characteristics. In this work, we examine the electronic properties of polyaniline(PANI) and graphene nanocomposites synthesized via a simple solution mixing method, which offers advantages such as ease of use and efficiency. Increasing graphene content enhances nanocomposite conductivity, and a percolation effect is observed. The percolation threshold is high and is consistent with a strong role played by voids in the structure. Temperature-dependent conductivity measurements highlight three distinct conduction regimes: insulating, critical, and metallic. These findings underscore the significant influence of synthesis method and structural disorder on shaping electronic properties, paving the way for engineering multifunctional nanocomposites with exceptional versatility and performance.

Multifunctional lanthanum oxide-doped carboxymethyl cellulose nanocomposites: A promising approach for antimicrobial and targeted anticancer applications

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of lanthanum oxide (La₂O₃)-doped carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) nanocomposites via a solution casting method, designed to offer an eco-friendly, multifunctional material with significant potential in biomedical applications. Structural analysis using FTIR, XRD, and EDX confirmed successful La₂O₃ integration, with FTIR spectra indicating a distinctive LaO stretching peak at 628.2 cm−1, XRD patterns revealing enhanced crystallinity with notable peaks at 16.6°, 27.6°, and 49.8°, and EDX showing a uniform lanthanum distribution with a 10.41 mass% concentration. These enhancements in structural stability and crystalline properties underscore the composite's functional robustness. Biological assessments revealed the composite's substantial antimicrobial efficacy, demonstrating inhibition zones up to 31 mm against pathogenic strains such as E. coli, S. aureus, E. faecalis, K. pneumoniae, and C. albicans at a 15 wt% La₂O₃ concentration—surpassing conventional antimicrobial agents. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests supported these findings, showing MIC values as low as 7.82 μg/mL, further validating the composite's heightened antimicrobial potency compared to pure CMC. In vitro cytotoxicity assays indicated selective anticancer effects of the La₂O₃/CMC nanocomposites, with IC₅₀ values of 327.7 μg/mL and 189.8 μg/mL against PC-3 prostate and A549 lung cancer cells, respectively. Remarkably, the composite showed minimal impact on normal lung fibroblasts (Wi-38), with an IC₅₀ value of 956.8 μg/mL, emphasizing its selectivity towards cancer cells. Collectively, these results highlight the La₂O₃/CMC composite as a biocompatible and multifunctional material suitable for both antimicrobial and targeted anticancer applications, aligning with the growing demand for safe, effective biomedical solutions.

Green synthesis of multifunctional natural rubber-lignin nanocomposites: A sustainable approach for waste reduction

Lignin, a valuable biomaterial having an array of exciting properties is increasingly favoured as a reinforcement material in the fabrication of green composites. Reinforcement in biopolymers like natural rubber (NR) using lignin nanoparticles (LNP) is considered a hotspot today. In this study, LNP synthesized via the homogenization method was incorporated into natural rubber latex (NRL) using probe sonication, and NR/Lignin nanocomposites (NR/LNP) were fabricated using latex dipping method. The addition of LNP resulted in significant enhancements in mechanical and antibacterial properties, biodegradability, and ultraviolet (UV) blocking capabilities with the addition of 7 parts per hundred rubber (phr) of LNP, due to the uniform dispersion and effective interaction between NR and LNP. This research demonstrates a versatile pathway for integrating LNP into NR through a green method, enabling the production of eco-friendly NR nanocomposites for multifunctional applications. This pathway contributes to a safe disposal of NR based products.

Light-induced synthesis of Highly stable CsPbCl3:Mn2+@mSiO2 nanocomposites for white Light-Emitting Diodes

All-inorganic perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) exhibit great promise in optoelectronics and photovoltaics. However, their intrinsic low-thermal/oxygen/moisture stability and the rigorous synthesis procedures have limited the practical applications. Here, we present a facile, one-step, light-induced method to synthesize CsPbCl3:Mn2+ NCs at room temperature by using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) as the halide source. The corresponding formation mechanism of CsPbCl3:Mn2+ NCs is revealed, where CsPbCl3:Mn2+ NCs are formed through the direct incorporation of [MnCl6]4− octahedral into the perovskite lattice during the nucleation and growth process. Additionally, we demonstrate the in-situ growth of CsPbCl3:Mn2+ NCs within mesoporous silica (mSiO2) spheres to form CsPbCl3:Mn2+@mSiO2 nanocomposites via the light-induced method, resulting in a remarkable improvement in high-temperature and long-time stability. As a prototype experiment, a white light-emitting diode (WLED) device is constructed using CsPbCl3:Mn2+@mSiO2 nanocomposites, which exhibits a bright white-light emission with the CIE chromaticity coordinate of (0.352, 0.340). It is anticipated that light-induced synthesis method provides a straightforward strategy for synthesizing multifunctional halide perovskite nanocrystals and nanocomposites for versatile applications.

Synergistic integration of plant derived galactomannan and MXene to produce multifunctional nanocomposites with antibacterial and osteogenic properties

This study proposes to combine plant-derived galactomannan and MXene to form an organic-inorganic hydrogel network with integrative antibacterial and osteogenic properties. Oxidized galactomannan (OxGa) was blended with N-succinyl chitosan (NSC) and varying concentrations of Mxene, owing to its high reactivity and biocompatibility. The results indicated that Mxene-loaded OxGa/NSC scaffolds exhibited biomimetic topography, adequate mechanical features and excellent physicochemical properties with strong antibacterial properties against pathogenic microbes. The cell culture experiments showed dose-dependent cytotoxic behaviour. An optimized MXene content of ≤ 4 mg/ml revealed no cytotoxicity and augmented the proliferation of osteoblast cells. Similar results were obtained in gene expression analysis where ALP, COL1A1, RUNX2, and SOX2 genes showed up-regulation. In addition, the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay also illustrated augmentation of angiogenesis without any toxicity. The overall results highlight the dual performance of OxGa/NSC-MXene scaffolds to exhibit anti-infection with simultaneous osteogenic properties, which is purely determined by the concentration of MXene. Therefore, regulating MXene concentration can serve as a chemical switch in imparting adequate antibacterial functions with the ability to allow new osseous generation. Our findings on the newly designed Mxene-loaded OxGa/NSC scaffolds can be a promising biomaterial for bone-related infections with a concurrent ability to promote osteogenesis.

Sprayable Nanocomposites Hydrogel for Wound Healing and Skin Regeneration.

Wound management remains a critical challenge worldwide and imposes a huge financial burden on every nation. Hydrogels are promising for biomedical applications because of their extracellular matrix (ECM) like structure, good biocompatibility and multifunctional bioactivity. However, the poor mechanical properties and inconvenient operation of traditional hydrogels make it difficult to meet the complex and multifaceted needs of clinical practice. In recent years, the multifunctional nanocomposites hydrogel with especially sprayable feature have shown enhanced mechanical properties and facile operation, which enable their huge clinical applications value. A unique and powerful nanocomposite hydrogels (NCH) platform is developed by combining the many advantages of nanomaterials and hydrogels, which can achieve efficient trauma repair. This work reviews important advances on the preparation, functions and applications of sprayable NCH platforms. The challenges and future trends in the field with the aim of providing researchers with clarity on the past, present, and future of the emerging field of sprayable NCH are also proposed in detail.

Engineering multifunctional polypropylene nanocomposites: Tailoring structural, thermal, and gamma-ray shielding properties with Ni0.9Zn0.1Fe2O4 doping

This study delves into the structural, thermal and shielding processing of polypropylene (PP) modified with Ni0.9Zn0.1Fe2O4 NPs, synthesized via melt processing. The structural analysis confirms the effective integration of Ni0.9Zn0.1Fe2O4 NPs into the PP matrix, leading to enhanced thermal stability. Furthermore, the impact of incorporating Ni0.9Zn0.1Fe2O4 NPs on the radiation shielding properties of the fabricated PP-based composites was assessed using Monte Carlo simulation. The results reveal a significant increase in the linear attenuation coefficient of the composites with higher concentrations of Ni0.9Zn0.1Fe2O4 NPs, resulting in improved radiation shielding efficiency, particularly at lower gamma-ray energies.

Development and Characterization of Ethylene‐Vinyl Acetate‐Graphene Nanocomposites

AbstractThe prospective applications of carbon graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) reinforced ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) nanocomposites in flexible electronics, energy storage devices, and thermal management systems have attracted a lot of attention. These nanocomposites offer an effective solution for enhancing the electrical conductivity of interfacing materials in electronic systems and addressing issues related to thermal management. GNPs that possess excellent thermal conductivity of 2000–4000 W m−1 K−1 and an electrical conductivity of 107 S m−1 are utilized in this investigation. The homogeneous dispersion of nanofiller and the effective load transfer between components through strong filler/polymer interfacial interactions are essential for the creation of multifunctional polymer nanocomposites. Particularly, their electrical conductivity and dielectric properties are highlighted in this study, with an emphasis on the synthesis and characterization of nanocomposite materials. This work investigates the utilization of graphene nanocomposites in EVA using a melt‐mixing technique assisted by sonication to fabricate multifunctional composites. Incorporating different weight percentages of GNPs (ranging from 0.1 to 0.4 wt.%) within the polymer matrix is carried out. In the present study, the nanocomposites are characterized by scanning electron microscopy investigation and impedance spectrum analysis. The distinctive characteristics of the AC electrical transport in nanocomposites are investigated between 10 Hz and 1 MHz. Excellent interfacial compatibility has been demonstrated by the homogenous distribution of GNPs within the matrix, confirmed by SEM examination. These EVA nanocomposites demonstrate improved electrical conductivity, thereby rendering them very useful for energy storage applications, such as electronic capacitors, wherein supports with a significant dielectric constant and minimal dielectric loss are required.

All-solid-state K+ sensing array based on Au@polystyrene nanocomposites.

All-solid-state ion selective electrodes (ASS-ISEs) areeasy to miniaturize and array, meeting the needs of home sensing devices. However, ASS-ISEs still faces challenges in accuracy and stability due to basic potential changes caused by non-specific adsorption of charged background compositions and the complex electrode preparation steps. To this end, our group successfully subtracted the background signal by integrating a self-calibrating channel in the sensing array and simplified the electrode preparation steps by preparing multi-functional PS-Au nanocomposites. However, the uniformity and gold content of PS-Au nanocomposites are difficult to control, so Au@PS nanocomposites are prepared as sensor materials in this paper to further reduce the differences between batches of electrodes. K+ Au@PS sensing array can be obtained by directly dropping Au@PS nanocomposites on the screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs), which shows a near Nernstian behavior in the range 1.0 × 10-3M to 0.3M and good reproducibility in real sample testing. The detection results by K+ Au@PS sensing array for K+ in human morning urine agreed well with that tested by ICP-AES, which make the K+-ASS-ISE suitable for home health monitoring.

Elucidating the potential of bimetallic mixed metal oxide (FeO/NiO) in fusion with pristine and N- and S-doped graphene oxide for biomedical applications

Antimicrobial resistance is attributed to acquiring new mechanisms by microbes to combat antimicrobial agents, highlighting the necessity to discover new antimicrobial agents to protect human health. Graphene and its derivatives have shown antimicrobial potential due to their physical and chemical distinctive features. Potent antibacterial properties were observed by decorating the surface of graphene and its derivatives with inorganic nanoparticles, such as metal and metal oxide. In an attempt to reliably overcome antimicrobial resistance, the multifunctional nanocomposites, including FeO/NiO, FeO/NiO/GO, FeO/NiO/N-GO, and FeO/NiO/S-GO, were synthesized using a wet chemical method. Accordingly, the structural analysis was performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For antibacterial potential, the synthesized nanocomposites were tested against non-resistant and resistant strains of bacteria. Notably, moderate antibacterial potential was found for FeO/NiO/N-GO nanocomposite with a MIC value of 12.5 μg/mL, compared to the MIC of pure Ciprofloxacin, a positive control, with a value of 1.25 μg/mL. Toward antifungal potential, the synthesized nanocomposites were assessed against various spores of fungal strains. In this regard, the synthesized nanocomposites were demonstrated as potent antifungal agents. Among the synthesized nanocomposites, FeO/NiO and FeO/NiO/S-GO exhibited the highest ZOI against Aspergillus flavus. Additionally, the activity of these nanocomposites was evaluated by means of total reducing power (TRP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and free radical scavenging. Further, the antioxidant, brine shrimp lethality, and hemolytic potential of the synthesized nanocomposites were evaluated to compare their effectiveness. According to brine shrimp lethality, all synthesized nanocomposites were sufficiently active, with a calculated median lethal concentration (LC50) showing ≥ 50 % mortality. The obtained results provide a promising base for the incorporation of nanocomposites in pharmaceutical and biomedical products.

Humidity-responsive pectin/AgNPs/ZnO composite films with high antimicrobial and UV-proof functions

ZnO nanoparticles and Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) tend to agglomerate when used individually, and high Ag+concentrations can cause cytotoxicity. To address these issues, we synthesized carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-based antimicrobial mimetic peptides (AMPMs) by introducing amphiphilic cations on the surface of CMC using a chemical grafting method. Bis-formaldehyde-formylated AMPMs were prepared through the directional oxidation of AMPMs with periodate and used as the reducing agent to synthesize AgNPs on the surface of pectin in situ for the preparation of a pectin/AgNPs/ZnO composite film. The physical and chemical properties of the films were characterized and analyzed by SEM (EDS), TEM, XRD, and UV spectroscopy. The results showed that the film's surface was smooth and flat, with small, well-stabilized AgNPs and uniformly dispersed ZnO. The film retained the original crystalline form of pectin, but exhibited altered crystallinity, indicating that the method employed was very mild. A systematic evaluation of the film’s antimicrobial performance using the dynamic growth curve, inhibition zone, and colony counting methods showed that AgNPs and ZnO imparted excellent, long-lasting antimicrobial activity to the film (98 %). Additionally, the films exhibited good flexibility, excellent ultraviolet protection (99.9 %), biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Notably, the film was sensitive to humidity, as demonstrated by its humidity-responsive bionic application. This study provides a promising reference and strategy for advancing the development of multifunctional polysaccharide-based nanocomposites.

Lysozyme-enhanced cellulose nanofiber, chitosan, and graphene oxide multifunctional nanocomposite for potential burn wound healing applications

The demand for advanced biomaterials in medical treatments is rapidly expanding. To address this demand, a nanocomposite of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) with chitosan (Ch) and graphene oxide (GO) was developed for burn wound treatment. The CNF-Ch-GO nanocomposites were characterized and their biological properties were evaluated. Microscopic images showed a uniform distribution of CNF, Ch, and GO with a porous structure. ATR-FTIR and XRD analyses confirmed the chemical structures, while a thermogravimetric study confirmed the stability of CNF-Ch-GO nanocomposite under a N2 atmosphere. The synthesized CNF-Ch-GO nanocomposite exhibited rapid absorption, absorbing 1781.7 ± 53.7 % PBS in 2 min. It demonstrated a Young's modulus of 11.90 ± 0.06 MPa in a hydrated condition, indicating its mechanical stability in water. Furthermore, it displayed excellent biocompatibility and hemocompatibility with 96.23 ± 12.21 % cell viability and 0.21 ± 0.08 % of hemolysis. Additionally, the blood clotting index of CNF-Ch-GO was comparable to that of standard dressing gauze. To enhance antimicrobial efficacy, CNF-Ch-GO was conjugated with lysozyme. This biotic and abiotic conjugation resulted in 92.17 % ± 3.02 % and 94.99 ± 2.1 % eradication of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. The enhanced antimicrobial properties, biocompatibility, and mechanical stability of the superabsorbent CNF-Ch-GO nanocomposite indicate its significant potential for advanced burn wound healing applications.

Enhanced sonophoto-catalytic and adsorption capabilities of Fe3O4@MC/MWCNT-CuO/Ag for petrochemical organic pollutants degradation from industrial process streams

To address the problem of petrochemical organic pollutants in water, specifically monoethylene glycol (MEG) present in industrial process streams, in this research, we synthesized and evaluated a multifunctional nanocomposite, Fe3O4@MC/MWCNT-CuO/Ag. The nanocomposite was produced by combining magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles, methylcellulose (MC), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and CuO/Ag nanoparticles by an integrated synthesis process. A consistent dispersion of nanoparticles, with diameters ranging from 30-40 nm, was discovered by FESEM analysis, showing effective integration without aggregation. Effective synthesis was demonstrated by well-doped and evenly dispersed CuO and Ag nanoparticles. Functional groups that improve electrostatic interactions with contaminants hence enhancing catalytic performance and adsorption efficiency, were validated by FTIR analysis. XRD indicated an unchanged crystal structure with an average crystallite size of 8.67 nm. The anticipated elemental composition was verified by EDS & mapping. A VSM study revealed magnetic characteristics (9.33 emu/g) that simplify nanocomposite separation and reuse. TGA proved thermal stability to be up to 600 °C. A BET study showed a highly specific surface area of 67.661 m2/g, enhancing adsorption. According to DRS and PL studies, the bandgap was lowered by 1.31 eV, which led to better optical absorption. The nanocomposite exhibited notable MEG removal efficiency, with 72 % in adsorption, 65 % in photocatalysis, and 56 % in sonocatalysis. This makes it a promising alternative for the remediation of organic pollutants in water treatment.

Optimizing junction interface integrity between 3D/2D defect pyrochlore Bi1.8Fe0.2WO6 and g-C3N4 nanostructures: A novel multifunctional nanocomposite for enhanced photocatalytic and photo-electrocatalytic water splitting and water remediation applications

In this work, a simplistic composite fabrication of defect pyrochlore Bi1.8Fe0.2WO6 (BFWO) and g-C3N4 (g-CN) was carried out to augment the photocatalytic degradation kinetics and Hydrogen (H2) evolution rate. The structural confirmation through XRD and FTIR confirmed the successful formation of pristine g-C3N4, BFWO NPs, and their composites. FESEM micrographs revealed multilayered sheet-like formation for C3N4 whereas irregular cuboid-shaped structure for BFWO NPs. In the composite formation, the sheets tended to appear wrapped around the BFWO NPs. The UV-DRS absorbance spectra exhibited a highlighted increase in the absorbance region towards the visible light region following a decrease in the band gap. The photoluminescence lifetime studies revealed an enhanced lifetime of excitons to 6.21 ns for 50:50 (g-C3N4: BFWO) composite formation, whereas pristine g-CN displayed an average lifetime of about 4.79 ns. The degradation efficacy in the removal of RhB and MB from water revealed up to 100% and 95.5% removal rates in under 90 mins and 180 mins respectively using the 50:50 composite formation. Similarly, the H2 evolution rate was significantly improved and exhibited up to 370 μmol/h/g. The photo-electrochemical studies revealed a sharp charge separation of excitons for 50:50 (g-C3N4: BFWO) with a maximum photocurrent density of -0.54 μA/cm2 @ 0 V which is 3.6 times and 13.5 times higher than bare g-CN and BFWO. 1.33 V vs. RHE for OER kinetics and -0.09 V vs RHE for HER kinetics were the minimal onset potential exhibited for equal ratios of BFWO and g-CN. Coupled with the heightened charge separation, reduced recombination rate, and optimal band edge positions, the photocatalytic efficiency in the degradation of RhB and MB and water-splitting reactions were improved.

Design and development of lignin nanobottles: Toward developing novel multifunctional nanocomposites

The design of lignin nanostructures, which leverages interfacial interactions to enhance colloidal network entanglement, holds promise for expanding their applications in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composites. Herein, a novel approach is proposed for fabricating lignin nanobottles (LNBs) using biomass-derived γ-butyrolactone (GBL) to create hollow interiors connected to a single surface opening. The resulting LNBs exhibit uniform sizes of approximately 108 nm with an opening diameter of 34.94 nm. Incorporating LNBs into PVA composites enhances mechanical properties significantly, with a tensile strength of 64.96 MPa and an elongation at break of 611.6 %. Moreover, the nanocomposite films demonstrate notable antibacterial effects, UV protection, and hydrophobicity. Introducing LNBs improves photothermal conversion capacity, achieving a temperature of 62.1 °C in just 150 s. Furthermore, a meticulously designed 3D solar evaporator demonstrates remarkable evaporation performance, achieving a rate of up to 1.89 kg m-2h−1 with an outstanding efficiency of 96.55 %. When exposed to 1 sunlight, the thermoelectric material generates an output voltage of 0.83 V, indicating considerable potential for energy generation. Overall, Incorporating LNBs enhances lignin’s effectiveness in materials and provides a novel approach to augment lignin’s photothermal properties, enabling broader applications in solar-driven evaporation and thermoelectric materials.

Controllable Self-Assembly of Carbon Nanotubes on Ammonium Polyphosphate as a Game-Changer for Flame Retardancy and Thermal Conductivity in Epoxy Resin.

The optimization of flame retardancy and thermal conductivity in epoxy resin (EP), utilized in critical applications such as mechanical components and electronics packaging, is a significant challenge. This study introduces a novel, ultrasound-assisted self-assembly technique to create a dual-functional filler consisting of carbon nanotubes and ammonium polyphosphate (CNTs@APP). This method, leveraging dynamic ligand interactions and strategic solvent selection, allows for precise control over the assembly and distribution of CNTs on APP surfaces, distinguishing it from conventional blending approaches. The integration of 7.5wt.% CNTs@APP10 into EP nanocomposites results in substantial improvements in flame retardancy, as evidenced by a limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of 31.8% and achievement of the UL-94V-0 rating. Additionally, critical fire hazard indicators, including total heat release (THR), total smoke release (TSR), and the peak intensity of CO yield (PCOY), are significantly reduced by 45.9% to 77.5%. This method also leads to a remarkable 3.6-fold increase in char yield, demonstrating its game-changing potential over traditional blending techniques. Moreover, despite minimal CNTs addition, thermal conductivity is notably enhanced, showing a 53% increase. This study introduces a novel approach in the development of multifunctional EP nanocomposites, offering potential for wide range of applications.

Sequential-dependent synthesis of gold-chromium nanocomposites for multimode colorimetric sensing, advanced logic computing, and tri-layer information protection

Binary materials combine the properties and advantages of their components, but their fabrication paradigm needs updating to fully exploit their characteristics and broaden their application. Here, multifunctional bimetallic gold-chromium nanocomposites (Au–Cr NCs) were synthesized facilely in a sequential-dependent manner, and applied from multi-channel sensing to molecular informatization (including advanced logic computing and tri-layer information protection). By sequentially mixing Cr6+, Au3+, and NaBH4 (reducing agent), Au–Cr NCs with Au nanoparticles attached to Cr nanobelts can be prepared easily and quickly. The resulting Au–Cr NCs exhibited multi-signal sensing capability for hypochlorite, with significantly improved selectivity (about 5 times) and sensitivity (about 1650 times) when analyzing multiple signals. The synthesis process can be used to implement parallel molecular logic gates and customizable keypad lock operations. Moreover, by digitizing logical relationships and multimodal selective responses based on Au–Cr NCs, specific information (wise sayings and literary works sentence) can be encoded, encrypted and hidden to realize nano-cryptography and steganography. When combined with molecular keypad lock, a tri-layer information protection system can be constructed to enhance anti-cracking ability. This study promotes controllable preparation and multi-purpose applications of advanced multifunctional nanocomposites, but also opens up a new direction for nano-based sensing and digitization in multi-dimension.

Green synthesized Fe3O4@CD nanocomposites using Acacia caesia leaves: In vitro biological properties and cytotoxicity assessment

The aim of the present study is to prepare carbon dots (CDs) from Acacia caesia leaves and use them to synthesize Magnetite@CD (Fe3O4@CD) nanocomposites (NCs). The absorbance spectrum, photoluminescence, and surface functional groups were revealed in the optical and morphological properties analysis, which confirmed the successful formation of Fe3O4@CD NCs. Electron microscopy showed that the NCs had an almost spherical shape, with an average particle diameter of 11.02 nm. A vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) also confirmed the superparamagnetic behavior of Fe3O4@CD NCs behaved in a superparamagnetic way. This study also observed effective in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxicity properties, all with low inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) values. However, neither Candida albicans nor Aspergillus niger showed any potential antifungal activity by both CDs and Fe3O4@CD NCs. The synthesized Fe3O4@CD NCs demonstrate significant potential for biomedical applications due to their superparamagnetic properties and low IC50 values, offering new insights into the design of multifunctional nanocomposites. Tuning the physiochemical properties of nanomaterials can have broad-field scientific applications.

Multifunctional Nanocomposites Synthesized By Solid-Phase Method with High Photocatalytic, Antibacterial, and Fungicidal Activity

An easily scalable technology was developed for the solid-state synthesis of multifunctional hybrid Ag3PO4/AgCl nanocomposites. This innovative approach relies on solution-free (dry) mechanical activation, implemented through successive ion-exchange reactions in a planetary ball mill. The nanosized hybrid structure of the synthesized Ag3PO4/AgCl nanocomposites was substantiated through the utilization of XRD, SEM, TEM, DSC, and UV-visible spectroscopy methods. The investigation also unveiled a synergistic effect between Ag3PO4 and AgCl.The Ag3PO4/AgCl nanocomposites with a ratio of 75:25 mas. % exhibited the highest and most stable photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation (λ≥400 nm). The rate constant for the photocatalytic degradation of Methylene Blue (10 mg/L) was found to be two times greater than that observed with Ag3PO4 nanoparticles and four times faster than for AgCl nanoparticles, as illustrated in Figure 1. "In addition, the synthesized nanocomposites remained stable after five cycles of the photocatalytic process, with their activity remaining almost unchanged.Furthermore, the antimicrobial and fungicidal efficacy of these nanocomposites was assessed using Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Erwinia amylovora test strains. The results of the microbiological tests revealed, that almost all prepared materials were able to suppress pathogenic microorganisms. The conducted study identified these nanocomposites as promising candidates for further detailed and targeted studies concerning their interaction with specific microorganisms. Figure - 1. (a) Visible spectrum changes of MB during its photodegradation by the Ag3PO4/AgCl -75/25 composite. (b) Photocatalytic degradation profiles of MB over AgCl, Ag3PO4 and Ag3PO4/AgCl catalysts under visible light irradiation. (c) Graphs for determining the kinetics of decomposition of MS under the influence of different catalysts. (d) Photodegradation stability of MB using the Ag3PO4/AgCl – 75/25 catalyst.AcknowledgmentsThis research was funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan, grant number АР13068426. Figure 1

Thermomechanical properties of multifunctional polymer hybrid nanocomposites based on carbon nanotubes and nanosilica

AbstractNanocomposites containing low wt% of oxidized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT‐OXI), nanosilica (NS), and its hybrid (MWCNT‐OXI/NS) in epoxy resin were produced and evaluated. The used nanoparticles were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Raman spectroscopy while the nanocomposites were investigated in relation to its morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties. The results demonstrated significant improvements in the storage modulus (E′), glass transition temperature (Tg), and cross link density (CD), for the produced nanocomposites. Increases in thermal conductivity (TC) of up to 85% at 90°C were observed for the nanocomposites containing 1.0 wt% of the hybrid MWCNT‐OXI + NS nanofiller, when compared with neat polymer. It was also verified increases in the resistance to plastic deformation for the nanocomposites, maintained the polymer thermal stability with the addition of these nanoparticles. Finally, the use of MWCNT‐OXI and NS, combined or not, significantly improved the thermal and mechanical properties of polymer, showing multifunctional characteristics for the produced nanocomposites.